Grandpa Vanderhof and his wacky family, the Sycamores, have been happily living their zany lives in his house by Columbia University in New York for many years. This family (and their friends) are a madcap group of eccentrics, marching to the beat of their own drum, with pride and joy. Things like stress, jobs, and paying taxes to the government are for other people, not for them! But when practical young Alice Sycamore becomes engaged to her company’s Vice President Tony Kirby, the Vanderhof/Sycamore clan must straighten up to meet the new in-laws. Disaster and hilarity soon ensue. "You Can’t Take It With You" is a madcap, idealistic comedy that reinforces the idea that you can only live life to the fullest by doing whatever makes you happy.

Please note, the ages listed are standard recommendations for the characters, not an age requirement for actors. Final creative decisions will be made by the director.

Martin (Grandpa) Vanderhoff: Thirty-five years ago Grandpa walked away from a successful business career in order to be able to do whatever he wanted, whenever he wanted. Clearly the patriarch of his clan, Grandpa has imparted this infectious philosophy of personal happiness above all else, not only to his own progeny, but also to numerous others, such as Mr. De Pinna, who have happened to cross his path. Age is approximately late 50's-80's.

Penelope (Penny) Sycamore: Grandpa’s daughter, and heir to his ideal of carefree happiness, Penny spends much of her time writing plays, because a typewriter was delivered to the house by accident eight years previously. Age is approximately 30's-early 50's.

Paul Sycamore: Penny’s husband, Paul apparently gave up a planned career as an architect to buy into Grandpa’s way of life. Paul’s major activities include making fireworks and building mechano models. Age is approximately 30's-early 50's.

Essie Carmichael: Penny and Paul’s daughter, Essie has spent the last eight years studying ballet with Kolenkhov, apparently without displaying any talent or attaining any level of proficiency. Her only source of income is making and distributing homemade candy. Age is approximately mid-20's-30's.

Ed Carmichael: Essie’s husband, Ed helps Essie distribute candy, prints various circulars on his printing press, and plays the xylophone. Age is approximately mid-20's-30's.

Alice Sycamore: Penny and Paul’s daughter, Alice is the only member of the family to be gainfully employed outside the house and in regular contact with outside society, working for Mr. Kirby at Kirby & Co. Although she loves her family dearly, she is also sometimes frustrated or embarrassed by their absent-mindedness and unconventionality. Age is approximately 18-25.

Anthony (Tony) Kirby, Jr.: The son of Mr. and Mrs. Kirby, Tony is the Vice President of Kirby & Co., a position that he has only held for a short while, as he is young and a recent college graduate. Madly in love with Alice, he clearly chafes against the boredom of the life his father has scripted for him. Age is approximately mid-late 20's.

Anthony Kirby, Sr.: Mr. Kirby runs a successful business on Wall Street. Conservative in his views, and a member of numerous social clubs, Mr. Kirby values his position and his social status. Age is approximately 40's-50's.

Miriam Kirby: Outwardly conservative like her husband, Mrs. Kirby also seems to conceal a discontent with the monotony of her life. Age is approximately 40's-50's.

Rheba: The Vanderhoff family’s black maid, most of the time Rheba is treated by them more as a member of the family or a trusted confidant than as a servant. Age is approximately 20's-50's.

Donald: Rheba’s black boyfriend, Donald is also an intimate member of the Vanderhoff family’s inner circle. Although he is on government relief, he also does odd jobs for the family. Age is approximately 20's-50's.

Mr. De Pinna: Mr. De Pinna came to the Vanderhoff house eight years ago to deliver ice and has been there ever since. He assists Paul with his firework experiments and generally assists Grandpa and his family as needed. Age is approximately 20's-60's.

Boris Kolenkhov: Essie’s ballet instructor and an intimate friend of Grandpa Vanderhoff, Kolenkhov still keeps in touch with friends in his native Russia. Through his friendships with displaced Russian nobility, he demonstrates his nostalgia for pre-Revolutionary czarist Russia. Age is approximately 30's-60's.

Willie C. Henderson: A staunch government woman from the Internal Revenue Department, Henderson has been dispatched to collect twenty-four years worth of back income taxes from Grandpa Vanderhoff. Age is approximately 30's-40's.

Grand Duchess Olga Katrina: The former Grand Duchess and cousin to the former Russian Czar, Olga Katrina now waits tables at Childs’ Restaurant in Times Square and reminisces with Kolenkhov about pre-Revolutionary Russia. Age is approximately 40's-60's.

Gay Wellington: Famous Actress that meets Penny on a bus, and is brought home to read her manuscripts. She likes singing and drinking, much more than she likes snakes. Age is approximately 20's-60's.

G-Man #1 (Chief): FBI agent working with the Internal Revenue Department. Age is approximately 40's-50's.

G-Man #2 (Jim): FBI agent working with the Internal Revenue Department. Age is approximately 20's-50's.

G-Man # (Mac): FBI agent working with the Internal Revenue Department. Age is approximately 20's-50's.